Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-01


Ihave read with great surprise in your esteemed
paper OF June %, an extraordinary statement con-
corning the japanese prison system. said to be
from the pen OF certain native OF that country,
named Tatui Bahia This individual If he is really
japanese, is unknown to me and my friends here
residing. Whatever the character OF the writer
may be, 1 feel myself constrained to ask for a
small share OF your valuable space for the purpose
OF correcting his remarkable, not TO say malicious
allegations.
AS you are aware, the amelioration Of prison sys-
TENS has for long time attracted the earnest at
tention OF enlightened statesmen and philanthro-
pists in every civilized country OF the world None
has arrived at perfection, but the amount OF prog
reSS In the case OF Japan has received the warnest
appreciation from all who have had the opportu-
nifty OF observing it. The government has eXerted
its utmost power to reform the errors which eX-
listed In past times and is admitted by high au-
thority to have attained a degree OF excellence
similar to that exhibited in the leading western
nations; II you go for example, TO the prisons In
kaIibaShi, (where Mr.. Bahia says he was confined).
Miyagt Sorachi, kabato and others: il you inveS-
ttgate critically their internal regulations and
actual condition, and compare them with similar
institutions In America or Europe, you Will not,
l am confident discover any inferiorty in the Jap
will probably find indications OF superior methods
OF management. do not desire, Mr.. Editor, that
THIS statement be taken on my authority, OF on
the authority OF any single japanese witness.
ANY person who will examining the recent writings
OF Intelligent travellers, missionaries and diplo-
mony. The missionaries. especially, take
deep interest in the. condition OF prisons I'm all
parts OF the East, and their evidence has been
unanimous. in recent years, In declaring that the
discipline, sanitary precautions, regulations for
the treatment OF inmates, and general admnistra-
ton OF japanese places of confinement or deten-
ton, show a remarkable degree OF advancement,
and may fairly be Judged by the same standards
that are applied to the best prisons OF their own
natfonaitieS. Travellers who have visited Japan
expressly for the purpose OF reporting upon the
social changes OF the past few years nave made
the JaiS and pententfal Institutions the especial
subject OF their eulogy and have declared that the
system now in force not only seems eXceiiently
adapted to the needs OF the japanese people. but
might In many details be anvanIageouSly trans
rerred to countries which profess TO stand on a
much higher plane OF civilization. IL is not Tor
me TO claim more than Is thus voluntarily ac-
corded by Impartial observers but II even much
Is accepted 1t shall serve to controyert the inluri-
Gus assertions or a profes5ed native or the land
which he miSrepreSents
With respect to Mr.. Baba's statements as to
Trials, secret examinations, and the absence OF
distinction between political and common Offend
ers," 1 must say they Will fail TO produce any
effect upon persons who are familiar with the active
reforms which Japan has set on loot since having
been admitted to the companionship or Western
nations. Ii would appear that he has ventured TO
make these statements only because of the remote
ness OF the country he magns, and the difficulties
which stand in The way OF producing prompt and
direct reputation. Speaking one well acquainted
with the subject, declare that all trials Ia Japan
are entirely public, excepting those which arekept
secret in the interest OF morality and decency All
that There Is not a nation on the earth where the
distinction between political criminals and those
other classes Is more carefully and scrupulously
guarded. AS TO his complaint respecting the non
publicity OF preliminary examinations, / have TO
remark that the like practice prevails in most OF
the European continental nations, and that there
lore 1t cannot be held up as exceptional
reprOach to Japan.
In conclusion, Mr. Editor, would observe that
II 1t be true by chance, that your informant, Mr..
Bahia, is native OF Japau it would better become
HIN 10 employ his faculties In supporting the
earnest endeavOrs OF his government and his
countrymen generally to elevate their institutions
and promote substantial reforms, than to misuse
his talents In the attempt to cartcature and
degrade these honorable endeavOrS with no lOrtier
motive than that Of the socialist the anarchist or
the nihiiiSt.
l am, sir, respectfully yours, E. NNoMIYA.
New York, June 20 1887